Loons win 5-4, climb out of cellar - WNEM TV 5

The Great Lakes Loons won another close game Wednesday, knocking off the Dayton Dragons in the first of a three-game set in Dayton, 5-4.

Nick Akins reached on an infield single with the bases loaded and a 3-2 count in the top of the ninth inning, driving home the go-ahead run.

Amalio Diaz (1-0, 3.00 ERA) pitched three-and-a-third innings of scoreless relief to pick up his first win of the year.

Craig Stern (0-0, 0.00 ERA) pitched a scoreless ninth to register his second save.

Darnell Sweeney reached base five times for the Loons, going 4-for-4 with a triple and a walk.

With the win, the Loons (30-35) climbed out of the basement of the Midwest League's Eastern Division and into a tie with South Bend.

The teams continue the series Thursday, with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Loons will not return to Dow Diamond in Midland until Saturday, when they'll host South Bend in the last series of the 2012 season.

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